I have only a short list of senatoriables who have my vote. I’m pretty confident that they will win on the upcoming May elections. But I am frightened on the possibility that Philippines would be really on troubled of the other winners. This will happen if the voters (1) will not vote, especially the youth (2) will sell their vote (3) will vote irrationally.

This May 14 will be my second instance to exercise my right to elect a public servant, a figure far from a traditional politician. But this novice voter is not unsighted on the truth on how most Pinoy vote. I’ve been a constant watcher of televised quick counts and had kept eye until the results were finalized. And my observation… there’s a quite certainty on how to win in a Philippine senatorial race that could and would erase any intelligent vote.

Survey Says

The excitement of the election counts falls only between the 8th and 14th spots. These are the candidates dropped on the same positions behind the SWS and Pulse Asia surveys over the previous months. The upper (and the better) half of the results are surefire on target.

This goes for the early exit polls. The rush of voters starts after lunch when exit polls have been published. I am not sure why do Pinoys go for trending. The logical explanation could be that Pinoys are sugaleros and sabungeros as they turn votes to bets. They want more winners on their bet slate. Wala ka, nanalo lahat yung mga manok ko.

Foolish reasons right? It would be better if those surveys are not posted in public but the senatoriables themselves commission such. And these stupid politicians would complain later if they were thrown out according to the official result. Sabi sa survey…

Jingle All The Way

Surveys do not say all. Ja-ja-ja-jamby Madrigal and Pia-pia-pia Cayetano are almost bottomfeet-ers in the surveys but their jingles really help the voters to recall who the candidates are.

This is another formula commonly being used today. Lito Camo is a sure winner here as many politicians are approaching him. Migz Zubiri is the luckiest among them all as he received the most coveted Boom Tarat Tart. If Yeng’s Hawak Kamay were not offered to Department of Education, then the fortunate candidate would hit the top spot just like the song.

How coincident it is for Chiz Escudero to choose Sandwich’s hit Sugod? Sugurin ba ang Malakanyang?

Star Studded

A celebrity who wants to be a politician has a slim chance nowadays. But a politician who wants to be a celebrity has the bigger chance now. And what do Chiz, Kiko Pangilinan, Noynoy Aquino and Ralph Recto have in common? They are belong to the Pinoy Entertainment circle.

That’s the reason why campaigns turn into a festive showcase of artists.

Acronyms and Taglines

Manny Villar’s winning formula: ST which means Sipag and Tiyaga brought him to the Senate. This two-letter acronym described him to the public and Pinoys had related themselves.

This goes same for the 2001 Legislative elections where People Power Coalition campaign chants ‘VOT FOR D CHAMMP’ where 8 out of 13 slots were occupied by the administration.

Companero and Companera Cayetano’s, ‘Tol Mike Defensor, Kabalikat Loren, Kabayan Noli and the like will remain a click. Kasangga, Kapamilya, Kapuso, Kadugo and other body parts to name few. Prospero Pichay’s Itanim sa Senado could also harvest number of votes.

Last Name Lasts

The candidate’s last name is as important as the other entries in the list. It holds the name of the reigning clan, the dynasty. The successors of Aquino, Estrada, Recto, Defensor, Magsaysay, Osmena and Cayetano have success in their name because the common Pinoy are familiar with those names. They had served, good or bad, in the country before and perhaps, voters believe that history will repeat itself through the new generation of these political dynasties.

Last name plays a trick in this race. Knowing Pinoy has no concept of space, suppose a common indecisive voter has only 8 blanks filled, Juan dela Cruz would try to scan through the list. Of course, as long as the are still blanks to fill, those who are in the front in alphabetical listing would have the greater probability to be picked.

This is the same strategy being utilized by party lists. There’s so much concentration on the letter A. Akbayan, Anakbayan, A Smile, ABS, Anakpawis, etc.

Party Partey

Though we don’t have Republicans and Democrats comparable here in the Philippines, we do have two generic line ups: The Administration and The Opposition. A candidate should have a clear stand. Tito Sotto and Tessie Oreta. Balimbing kasi. On my opinion that would not really matter, but it is in our culture that you only see the politicians every campaign period. And in each campaign the candidates attend, they carry their party name. Independent candidates would not be too bothered on this as long as they have the other variables of the win-win formula.. On my opinion that would not really matter, but it is in our culture that you only see the politicians every campaign period. And in each campaign the candidates attend, they carry their party name. Independent candidates would not be too bothered on this as long as they have the other variables of the win-win formula.

Invested Publicity

John Osmena has the last name, the party and the platform but it is not enough in his case. He is still overshadowed by others. Remember, Ping Lacson? The media has so much hype on Ping, PNP and Kuratong before 2001 elections. That’s free advertisement on TVs and newspapers. He was known almost by everyone, those who like him and those who not.

One must be constantly visible to the public. Chiz Escudero invested so much free publicity and this is his ammo against his competitors. Even though Defensor-Santiago is stoned with balimbing when she joined the administration, she remain observable. Her son’s depressing incident is one.

Platform

Mike Defensor could win but will crawl for the position. Let’s compare his political TV with Migz. The people would list Zubiri first because they know what Zubiri had done in the Congress. But for Mike, you haven’t seen any obvious plan for the country. Edgardo Angara could reserve his seat in the Senate, too. The people can identify him on his bills on education.

This must be the most important criterion but the election campaign is simply too loud for a voter to contemplate on this.

So to the educated youth, please vote wisely. This May 2007 election is still predictable. Make it not.

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